19 must-watch movies with strong female characters in the lead

Girl power!

This women’s day, we’re celebrating on-screen heroines who have inspired us—made us laugh, cry and cheer as they fight for their cause. They have led by example, and encouraged us to make unconventional choices, carve our own paths, and most importantly, be fearless in the face of adversity. Here’s Vogue’s list of 19 must-watch movies with powerful women in the lead.

Legally Blonde

When jilted fashion student Ella Woods (Reese Witherspoon) decided to pursue a career in law and succeeded despite people not taking her seriously due to her love for fashion, she proved that women needn’t fit just one of the two typical female archetypes (serious and intelligent, or glamorous and pretty) and can, in fact, be both at once.

Erin Brockovich

Audiences in cinema halls cheered when Erin Brockovich (Julia Roberts), an unemployed single mother of three, led and won the case against Pacific Gas and Electric Company, the corporation that was behind the toxic contamination of groundwater in her town, in this autobiographical movie. The story is a reminder that women can challenge not just individuals but entire systems if need be.

Juno

Juno (Ellen Page) glides through an emotionally and physically challenging teenage pregnancy with a cool demeanour and a sense of humour, making many difficult choices through her journey.

Wonder Woman

This 2017 superhero(ine) film featuring Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) is an ode to one of the earliest feminist icons and the best-known female superhero in pop culture. Tracing her origin as a goddess-princess of the Amazonians, the movie puts the spotlight on many strong female figures. Her mother, Hippolyta is highly opinionated, a trait Diana later acquires, and her sister Antiope is the one who trains Diana in the art of war.

Kill Bill

Who said a male lead was mandatory to lead not one, but two volumes of a high-octane, martial arts action film to box office success? The Bride (Uma Thurman) kicks and punches her way through the movie to take revenge upon the assassins and their leader Bill after they attempt to kill her and her unborn child.

Frida

This biography traces the poignant story of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo (Salma Hayek) as she grapples with her paralysing injuries, an unfaithful husband, a painful miscarriage and eventual separation from the man she loves the most. The movie is a shining example of how a woman can pour all of herself into her passion (art in Kahlo’s case) despite her pain.

Hidden Figures

History is proof that there’s very little men can do that women can’t, including traditionally ‘male jobs’ like computing or engineering. Starring Octavia Spencer, Taraji P Henson and Mary Jackson as NASA employees, this biographical film pays homage to the black ladies who were major contributors to America’s success in the Space Race, but still remain relatively hidden as compared to their white, male counterparts.

Brave

With an unconventional princess who chooses archery over marriage as its heroine, Brave encourages young women to set out on their own paths but is also a gentle reminder that mothers are friends, not foes, on this journey.

The Help

Set during the height of the American Civil Rights Movement in 1963, this period drama makes a serious case for ‘women supporting women’ as Skeeter (Emma Stone) a wealthy white woman, decides to write a book from her two black maids’ perspective, exposing the racism they face working for white families.

Million Dollar Baby

This sports drama explores the dynamics of the heart-warming father-daughter like relationship between aspiring boxer Maggie (Hillary Clinton) and her mentor Frankie (Clint Eastwood). Tough as nails Maggie seriously makes us question the tag of ‘the weaker sex’ on women as she fights through the film, completely unafraid of physical pain till the very end.

Mona Lisa Smile

This period-drama advocates the importance of women having careers through the story of an Art History teacher (Julia Roberts) who leads by example and encourages the girl students at her college to focus on finding a calling instead of settling for the next eligible suitor.

Joy

Divorced mother of two Joy Mangano (Jennifer Lawrence) is the epitome of female empowerment when she invents a self-wringing mop and ends up as successful, wealthy businesswoman after many struggles.

English Vinglish

When middle-class housewife Shashi (Sridevi) went to New York, decided to learn English and realised that her seemingly irrelevant laddoo business made her an ‘entrepreneur’, she showed women across India that their identities needn’t be confined to their families and definitely not limited to their weaknesses.

Queen

Jilted by her fiancé, shy Delhi girl Rani (Kangana Ranaut) decides to go on her honeymoon alone, venturing into European by-lanes at night, fighting goons, and making new friends all by herself. As her confidence blooms, the message is clear: A girl can manage by herself just fine.

Kahaani

To avenge the death of her husband, Vidya Baagchi (Vidya Balan) plays the role of an ‘innocent pregnant woman’ to the hilt and strategically hunts down criminals in the underbelly of Kolkata, proving that one should never underestimate the power of a seemingly ‘helpless’ woman.

Dangal

Mahavir Singh Phogat (Aamir Khan) is a retired wrestler, who believes his daughters are no less than sons, and goes against the regressive norms of his village to train his daughters to become successful wrestlers, proving that girls are indeed no less than boys.

Bhumika

The film explores the life of a Marathi film actress Usha (Smita Patil), as she achieves and subsequently shuns stardom, flitting from man to man in a vain attempt to find the right match. Usha achieves sexual and economic independence at a relatively young age, and is fearless in her pursuit of love, making her one of Benegal’s most inspiring heroines.

Chak De! India

The Indian women’s hockey team rediscovers the meaning of team spirit and is lead to World Cup victory by Coach Khan (Shah Rukh Khan), proving to the nation that women’s sports teams deserve as much respect as the men’s.

Neerja

Based on a true story, the film documents the story of brave heart Neerja (Sonam Kapoor), a flight attendant who kept passengers safe and faced terrorists head on in the event of a plane hijack. It’s a hair-raising, poignant moment when Neerja, all of 23, eventually sacrifices her own life in an attempt to lead maximum of her passengers to safety.